Dr. Qamar uz Zaman

Assistant Professor

Environmental Sciences

Biography

Dr. Qamar uz Zaman is a young environmentalist working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Lahore (UOL). He obtained his B.Sc. (Hons.), M.Sc. (Hons.) and Ph.D. in (Plant Sciences/Agronomy) from University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. He has good record of publications and working on different projects to put his proper share in developing advanced technologies for students. Major areas of his research are sustainability issues in environment and agriculture with major focus on zinc and iron biofortification under changing climate scenario, heavy metal toxicity in the cereals and vegetables, abiotic stresses and soil microflora (bacteria, fungi and algae).

Education

SrNo.	Year	Degree	Board/University
1	2017	PhD	University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
2	2013	MSc (HONS.)	University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
3	2011	BSc (HONS.)	University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
4	2006	Intermediate	Govt. Faradia Post Graduate College Pakpattan
5	2004	Matriculation	Govt. High School Chak Shafi, Pakpattan

Experience

SrNo.	From	To	Category	Designation	Organization
1	18-03-2011	18-06-2011	Professional Experience	Internee	Punjab Seed Corporation, Sahiwal
2	2012	2013	Academic Experience	Research Associate	Plant and Microbial Ecology Laboratory, Department
3	11-03-2015	06-07-2015	Academic Experience	Teacher Assistant (Lecturer)	Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture
4	16-09-2017	Present		Assistant Professor	Department of Environmental Sciences, The Universi

Publications

SrNo.	Title
1	Decadal Impacts of Climate Change on Rainfed Agriculture Community in Western Somaliland, Africa
2	Uptake of heavy metal in wheat from application of different phosphorus fertilizers
3	The Potential of 2,5-Dichloroaniline and Ammonium Thiosulphate and Their Combination as Nitrification Inhibitors.
4	The Potential of Commercial Composts in Reducing Heavy Metals and Metalloids Phytoaccumulation in Maize
5	COVID-19 Lockdowns in Industrial Areas and Outdoor Climatology Indices
6	Characterizing Stomatal Attributes and Photosynthetic Induction in relation to Biochemical Changes in Coriandrum sativum by Foliar Applied Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles under Drought Condition
7	Chemical Profiling and Toxicological Evaluation, Antioxidants, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-nociceptive and Tyronase Inhibitory Potential of Portulacaria afra using in-vitro, in vivo and in silico Studies
8	Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles: A Novel Approach for the Enhanced Growth and Yield of Tomato against Early Blight Disease
9	Biogenic Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Biological Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles Using Cleome brachycarpa.
10	Exogenously Applied Silicon and Zinc Mitigates Salt Stress by Improving Leaf Pigments and Antioxidant Activities in Canola Cultivars.
11	Effect of Selenium on Growth, Physio-Biochemical and Yield traits of Lettuce under Limited Water Regimes.
12	Impact of various salinity levels and Fusarium oxysporum as stress factors on morpho- physiological and yield attributes of onion.
13	Quantification of antioxidant potential of baked and fried multigrain food material as a tool for nutritional optimization strategy
14	Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles by Precipitation and Sol Gel Methods from Different Precursors and their Comparison Impact on Seedling Attributes of Wheat
15	Aptness of entomogenus fungi with diatomaceous earth against various stored grain insect pests
16	Carbon Storage Potential of Agroforestry System near Brick Kilns in Irrigated Agro-Ecosystem
17	Soil Amendment with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Biochar Improves Salinity Tolerance, Growth, and Lipid Metabolism of Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
18	Effect of silicon on morpho‑physiological attributes, yield and cadmium accumulation in two maize genotypes with contrasting root system size and health risk assessment
19	Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Thrombolytic, Hemolytic Activity In Vitro and In Silico Potential of Portulacaria afra
20	Calcium induced growth, physio-biochemical, antioxidants, osmolytes adjustments and phytoconstituents status in spinach under heat stress
21	Elucidating silicon-mediated distinct biomass yield and physio-biochemical attributes in heat stressed spinach
22	Sorghum Allelopathy: Alternative Weed Management Strategy and their Impact on Mungbean Productivity and Soil Rhizosphere Properties
23	Alleviation of Cadmium Stress by Silicon Supplementation in Peas by Modulation of Morpho-physio-biochemical Variables and Health Risk Assessment
24	Mass characterisation of elemental toxicants in popular cigarettes sale in Pakistan using ICP-OES
25	Toxic Metals and Metalloids in Hassawi Brown Rice: Fate during Cooking and Associated Health Risks
26	Amino acids application alleviated salinity stress in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) by improving oxidative defense, osmolyte accumulation, and nutrient balance
27	Consortium between Ground Water Quality and Lint Yield in Cotton Belt Areas
28	Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Metals and Metalloids in Soil, Water and Plant Continuum of Fragrant Rice
29	Sawdust Amendments Significantly Reduced Iodine Losses from Agricultural and Pasture Soils.
30	Risk Analysis of Heavy Metals and Groundwater Quality Indices in Residential Areas: A Case Study in the Rajanpur District, Pakistan.
31	Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties and Metallic Contents in Vegetables Irrigated with Water from Different Sources
32	Coagulation of Metallic Pollutants from Wastewater Using a Variety of Coagulants Based on Metal Binding Interaction Studies
33	Experimental modeling, optimization and comparison of coagulants for removal of metallic pollutants from wastewater
34	Versatility and effectiveness of the commercial composts for ecological restoration of heavy metal contaminated soil for sunflower crop
35	Alleviation of Cadmium Phytotoxicity Using Silicon Fertilization in Wheat by Altering Antioxidant Metabolism and Osmotic Adjustment
36	Bioresource Nutrient Recycling in the Rice-Wheat Cropping System: Cornerstone of Organic Agriculture
37	Silicon Fertilization: A Step towards Cadmium-Free Fragrant Rice
38	Zinc Nutrition Application Augments Morpho-physiological Attributes, Productivity and Grain Zinc Bioavailability of Paddy Rice
39	Sustainable weed control and enhancing nutrient use efficiency in crops through Brassica Allelopathy
40	Cadmium contamination, bioavailability, uptake mechanism and remediation strategies in Soil-Plant-Environment System: A Critical Review
41	Response of cabbage and cauliflower verities against Alternaria blight disease and its management
42	Effect of Azadirachta indica supplemented feed on growth performance of Labeo rohita
43	Sustainable remediation solution for heavy metal contaminated soils of Pakistan: A review Sustainable remediation solution for heavy metal contaminated soils of Pakistan; A review
44	Heavy metals stress, mechanism and remediation techniques in rice (Oryza sativa L.): A review
45	Impact of Resistance Inducers on Biochemical Attributes of Onion Leaves Against Purple Blotch (Alternaria Porri)
46	Impact of industrial effluents and simulated acid rain on growth, productivity and metal contamination in mungbean (Vigna radiate L.)
47	Heavy metal bioremediation of coal fired flue gas using microalgae under different CO2 concentrations
48	INFLUENCE OF ZINC FERTILIZATION ON MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES, GROWTH, PRODUCITIVITY AND HEMATIC APPRAISAL OF PADDY RICE
49	Strategic use of water: a step toward cadmium-free basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.)
50	Prospective Roles and Mechanisms of Caffeic Acid in Counter Plant Stress: A Mini Review
51	Evaluation of Ground Water Quality for Irrigation Purposee and Effect On Crop Yields: A GIS Based Study of Bahawalpur
52	Health risk assessment due to exposure of arsenic contamination in drinking water of district shiekhupure, Punjab, Pakistan

Conferences

SrNo.	Year	Level	City	Country	Confence
1	2021	1	Faisalabad	Pakistan	Mentoring: How does it connects to research ethics
2	2021	2	Okara	Pakistan	Global Trends in Combating Environmental and Agric

Awards

Memberships

Courses Taught

SrNo.	Type	Title	University	Semester
1	BS	Biology-I	The University of Lahore	I
2	BS	Basic Chemistry	The University of Lahore	I
3	BS	Applied Ecology	The University of Lahore	V
4	BS	Agro-Ecology	The University of Lahore	VI
5	M.Sc	Applied Ecology	The University of Lahore	I
6	M.Phil	Agrochemicals in Environment	The University of Lahore	II

Project Supervisor

Services

Books

Research Fundings

Extracurricular Activities

SrNo.	Hobbies	Interests

Languages and Skills

Active Collabrations

Consulting Experience

Achievements / Rewards

Dr Akhtar represents Pakistan, explores collaboration with Germany on global issues

Description

In a substantial ambassadorial effort, Prof Dr Rabia Akhtar (Director of the Center for Security, Strategy, and Policy Research (CSSPR)) represented Pakistan as a thought leader in a delegation of five eminent scholars from Asia. This delegation, constituted by the Asia chapter of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), visited Berlin, Germany, to engage in dialogues and meetings aimed at understanding Germany’s viewpoints on key global issues, from June 13-15, 2023.

The FES Strategic Foresight Group, comprising scholars from Pakistan, Thailand, India, South Korea, and Indonesia, sought to gain insights into Germany’s perception of the world, the interconnectedness of geopolitics and geoeconomics, and the overall security and stability of different regions. By interacting with parliamentarians, scholars, and think tank experts, the group aimed to identify Germany’s foreign policy direction amidst intensifying great power competition, technological advancements, and the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Dr Akhtar articulated Pakistan’s aspirations to become a regional and global connector, and expressed her belief that the country could serve as Germany’s partner in promoting peace. She said academic collaboration between the two countries must lay the groundwork for better ties. In that regard, she hoped that the University of Lahore (UOL) and CSSPR will like to establish linkages, to work on security and strategic issues with policymakers, universities, and think tankers in Germany.

Moreover, during the meetings with German officials and academicians, including Dr.Martin Thummel (Deputy Head for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Federal Foreign Office), Dr Akhtar along with the delegation underlined the importance of collaboration between nations in an increasingly interconnected world. It was argued that Europe and Asia should not be considered separate arenas, as common threats and opportunities necessitate a collective approach.

The participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions on how Germany’s foreign policy has evolved amid geopolitical tensions and how the country aims to strike a balance between values-based and interests-based approaches, particularly in the face of the evolving Sino-U.S. rivalry. Central to these discussions was Germany’s embrace of Zeitenwende, signifying a transformative shift in its foreign and defence policies following the war in Ukraine. German officials highlighted that this philosophy would enable their country to contribute positively to regional and global stability.

Furthermore, the delegation stressed the importance of inter-regional dialogues, trade, and economic cooperation between Germany and Asian countries during their meetings with parliamentarians. Geoeconomics emerged as a key theme, with experts acknowledging its potential to promote interdependence, peace, and stability. However, they also expressed caution, and were mindful of the geopolitical complexities that could hinder its effectiveness.

Dr Ashraf becomes Pakistan’s top and world’s 12th most cited Plant Science researcher

Description

What traits set exceptional academic leaders apart? One is their ongoing commitment to academic excellence. Prof Dr Muhammed Ashraf (Rector, UOL), in an interview with the Press and Publications Cell (PPC) of the University of Lahore (UOL), shared how his commitment to academics and research led him to stand amongst the top-cited Plant Science researchers in the world.

The second edition of Research.com rankings of the best researchers was released recently. According to these rankings, Dr Ashraf stood 12th in the list of top-cited researchers with a massive number of 72,461 citations and 1,169 publications in the field of Plant Science.

While sharing his sentiments with the PPC team, he said, “It is a great honour and privilege for me to be among the world’s top-cited Plant Science researchers. Barely people from third-world countries like Pakistan get such immense acknowledgement for research, but I, hailing from a developing country, take pride in the fact that I was able to garner the limelight along with researchers from advanced countries like America, Germany, etc.”

Motivation for Plant Science Research

For most of his academic life, Dr Ashraf has been conducting research anchored on Plant Science, his field of specialisation for which he has recently been recognised globally. Revealing his motivation behind his research drive, he mentioned that “Research is the key element for institutions and even for academicians to leave an unprecedented imprint on the global academic spectrum. The only sound way to project novel ideas pertaining to your field is through research, and that is what keeps me right on track with research. To make significant contributions to the field of Plant Science, I try to continually explore and conduct impactful research.”

Global Acclamation

In continuing the discussion of his research motivation, on a lighter note, he shared that he received a congratulatory email from Mr Rattan Laal (The Ohio State University, the United States). “To my surprise, Mr Laal, the world’s most cited researcher, shared his congratulatory remarks with me. I am humbled to the core by this global acclamation that I have received so far,” he said.

Catering to Contemporary Plant Science Issues

In every field of study, researchers try to address and explore solutions for the most pressing issues. In Plant Science and Agronomy, the focal point of researchers nowadays is the impact of climate change on plants and, broadly, on the agriculture sector. Upon being asked about the impact of his research, the UOL Rector stated that “Climate change, undoubtedly, has adversely affected the lives of plants, animals, and even humans. My focus is particularly on plants and agriculture. Through my research, I have always tried to address and highlight the pressing issues that are being faced mainly by Asian and African countries, and this is also one of the reasons that my research is getting global acknowledgement because it caters to global issues. Majorly, my work is based on different plant stresses such as drought, salinity, waterlogging, temperature extremes etc.”

Fundamentals of Research, Publications, and Rankings

Not many people are familiar with the Research.com rankings, and in fact, they lack even the most basic knowledge of research rankings. During his interview with PPC, Dr Ashraf summarised the entire research ranking process by saying that “A researcher gets ranked based on his number of publications and citations. Researchers should try to publish their work in international journals, which will increase their chances of maximum citations. The more publications and citations, the higher the H-index, and ultimately, the better the chances of getting ranked at the top.”

Tips for soon-to-be Early-career Researchers

There is no short cut to conduct profoundly organic research, and that is what Dr Ashraf said. “Dedication and hard work are the keys to achieve research goals. Nevertheless, to stand out in the pool of researchers, it is pertinent, especially for Plant Science research aspirants, to focus on technological and digital advancements, keeping oneself up-to-date with international contemporary research trends, and fuelling the urge of discovery by gaining more and more knowledge,” he advised the students.

Dr Tahir explores the role of financial risk-taking attitude in consumer satisfaction

Description

A consumer’s attitude of financial risk tolerance (FRT) plays an important role in his/her financial decisions, thereby determining his well-being. FRT is a consumer’s preference for the amount of risk he undertakes while making investments. Recently, a lot of research studies have been conducted on consumer well-being and FRT. Being motivated by this trend in financial research, Dr Muhammad Tahir (Assistant Professor, Lahore Business School, the University of Lahore (UOL)) and fellow researchers explored the relationship amongst financial literacy, propensity to plan (PTP), FRT, financial satisfaction, and life satisfaction.

Though scholarly acumen for consumer well-being is rapidly developing, not much is known regarding the collective roles of financial literacy, PTP, and FRT. Dr Tahir’s study addressed this gap by showing that financial literacy, risk-taking attitudes, and planning propensities are all interconnected and necessary ingredients to improve financial and life satisfaction.

Dr Tahir’s analytical study titled “Role of financial risk-taking attitude in personal finances and consumer satisfaction: evidence from Australia” revealed a strong partial mediation of FRT between financial literacy and financial satisfaction. Moreover, the analysis showed that a high PTP combined with a high FRT results in high financial satisfaction.

For achieving the main objective of the research, the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey was taken into consideration. Furthermore, Dr Tahir used the variance-based partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), also known as the PLS path modelling approach, to test the proposed hypotheses of the study empirically.

The findings of Dr Tahir’s research study showed the importance of creating financial plans in accordance with risk tolerance. Considering the relevance of increasing financial literacy, Dr Tahir suggested that the use of tools that could help consumers plan and spent in risky investments might lead them to have a more financial and life satisfaction.

UOL chemist explores an eco-friendly alternative thickening agent for textile printing

Description

Textile printing is the most versatile and vital methodology for introducing colour and design to textile fabrics. Different types of thickeners (chemical compounds) are used for printing, such as polysaccharide thickener, synthetic thickener, and emulsion thickener. Synthetic thickeners are highly criticised for endangering the environment at the manufacturing stages.

Dr Dure Najaf Iqbal (Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, The University of Lahore) and her team of researchers explored an eco-friendly alternative for synthetic thickeners that is effective in the textile printing process. The team revealed that guar gum could serve as an outstanding natural thickener, stabiliser, and gelling agent and could as well be used in various industrial units, including food, cosmetics, textiles, oil fracturing, and mining. Guar gum is one of the most important naturally occurring non-ionic high molecular weight polysaccharides and consists of galactomannan, which has vast applications in various fields.

Dr Iqbal and her team synthesised carboxymethyl guar gum (CMG) via monochloroacetic acid under alkaline conditions. The carboxymethylation of guar gum was accomplished by the Willianson ether technique and the reaction conditions were optimised during the course of the experiment. Guar derivatives with variable degrees of substitution (DS) were prepared and confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The DS was determined quantitatively by the titration method for each derivative.

For this research study, native guar gum was purchased from National Guar Industries, Karachi, with a molecular weight of 1.043 106 g/mol. Whereas, all the chemicals and reagents used were of analytical grade and were purchased from Merck, Germany.

The result proved that the substituted guar gum is an eco-friendly, non-hazardous thickener as compared to synthetic thickeners. Furthermore, the penetration properties, fixation ability, and colour fastness of guar gum were compared with those of commercial alginate thickeners. The printing trial of the thickener CMG also showed that carboxymethyl guar gum could easily replace conventional thickeners without any compromise on printing results and could prevent fabric stiffness. The tested water-holding capacity (a central aspect that determines commercial applications of gums) of guar gum made it ideal for improving the texture of end products in diverse industrial formulations.

Also, it was revealed that the implementation of carboxymethyl guar gum in textile printing can reduce the economic burden associated with exporting alginate and other synthetic thickeners. This, in turn, could enable exporters to offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality.

Faculty / Staff Profiles

Dr. Qamar uz Zaman

Assistant Professor

Environmental Sciences

Biography

Education

Experience

Publications

Conferences

Awards

Courses Taught

Project Supervisor

Services

Books

Research Fundings

Extracurricular Activities

Languages and Skills

Active Collabrations

Consulting Experience

Dr Akhtar represents Pakistan, explores collaboration with Germany on global issues

Dr Ashraf becomes Pakistan’s top and world’s 12th most cited Plant Science researcher

Dr Tahir explores the role of financial risk-taking attitude in consumer satisfaction

UOL chemist explores an eco-friendly alternative thickening agent for textile printing